Referendum to dissolve Warwick Tories proposed for All Student Vote

The fate of the Warwick Conservative Association is once again in doubt after the introduction of a motion calling for a vote on its dissolution.

A motion submitted to the All Student Vote (ASV) by campaign group Disband the Warwick Tories has sought to force Warwick’s Students’ Union (SU) to dissolve the society by putting the proposal to a vote.

Any motions approved in an ASV, which are voted on by all students at the University, notionally become SU policy, meaning it would become the position of Warwick SU to recommend dissolving the Warwick Tories.

We look forward to taking this motion to a democratic vote of the student body […], to address and rectify the SU’s continued inaction

Disband the Warwick Tories spokesperson

The ASV motion comes as the latest development in a saga that began in July, when footage leaked from the UWCA’s annual Chairman’s Dinner showed attendees singing the WWII German marching song ‘Erika.’

The incident led to the society’s suspension from the SU and a summer-long investigation by the University that ultimately reinstated the group, with sanctions placed on individuals and the society’s members.

There was controversy, however, that demands by some students for the group to be dissolved were not met, an unhappiness that has now spurred this latest motion.

In a statement to The Boar, Disband the Warwick Tories said: “Despite over 100 societies and clubs calling for the Warwick Conservative Association to be disbanded after their Nazi singing, the University and SU failed to act.

“This week, we submitted our All Student Vote motion to Disband the Warwick Tories. At the time of writing, over 500 students have signed onto the letter [which supports the proposed ASV motion].

“We look forward to taking this motion to a democratic vote of the student body when voting opens next month, to address and rectify the SU’s continued inaction in refusing to disband the Warwick Tories.”

While we are not surprised […], we believe it is a vastly illegitimate motion and we will be writing to both the Board of Trustees and the University

Ben Jackson, Chairman, UWCA

The proposed ASV motion seeks to bar the Warwick Tories from reapplying to be an SU-affiliated society for three years, “until the 2027–28 academic year”.

The UWCA, predictably, has hit back against the proposal for its dissolution. Ben Jackson, who recently assumed the position of Chairman, told The Boar: “It comes as a surprise to neither myself, nor our members, that there continues to be a group of students wishing to suppress our presence on campus, via their recent ASV proposal.

“The proposed ASV contravenes SU bylaws and regulations, which the motion itself admits, as well as containing inaccuracies and unsupported statements. While we are not surprised at the ASV proposal, we believe it is a vastly illegitimate motion and we will be writing to both the Board of Trustees and the University.”

Mr Jackson made the point of noting that Warwick Labour have faced similar controversy in the past, stating: “When Warwick Labour encountered an SU investigation, following complaints by Warwick Anti-Racism Society of being institutionally racist, members and former members were found to have breached the code of conduct.

“The investigations into the UWCA have found no institutional issues, rather certain individuals needing to face consequences.”

It is time the SU starts to lead on such crucial issues rather than bow to the will of the University

Ollie Chapman, Chair, Warwick Labour

Warwick Labour has been amongst the largest of societies to support the motion to disband the Warwick Tories. Ollie Chapman, Chair of Warwick Labour, gave an exclusive statement to The Boar.

Chapman said: “A lack of bold action and leadership on this issue has been shown by the SU and it has saddened me to see the effect this has had, making already marginalised students feel even less welcomed on our campus.”

He made it clear that Warwick Labour felt the sanctions put to the UWCA by the SU were “beyond disappointing,” describing them as “ineffective courses and wrist-slaps.”

He finished: “I wholeheartedly hope that the motion succeeds, so that students can once again lead the institutions towards the right decisions, as they have time and time again since the 1970s.

“I thank the Disband the Tories campaign for their good work and leadership on this issue. It is time the SU starts to lead on such crucial issues rather than bow to the will of the University.”

If selected by the Student Council, the ASV motion will be voted on later this term.